Man gave false name to avoid jail at Christmas

A MAN arrested for disorderly behaviour convinced police he was someone else because he didn't want to spend Christmas in prison.

Darren Fisher was taken to Loddon Valley police station on Christmas Day last year.

Worried that police would check his record and keep him in the cells, he identified himself as Joseph Kennedy.

Police checks suggested he had similar tattoos to a Joseph Kennedy and he was then charged in the name of Kennedy.

Police later realised who he really was when they did a fingerprint test.

The tale emerged at Reading Magistrates Court on Thursday last week.

The court heard that Fisher, 20, of no fixed abode, was arrested when police were called to Friar Street in the town centre to control a "disorderly crowd of 100 drunk people" outside Yates's Wine Lodge.

"One officer's attention was drawn to Fisher who told him he was not able to pass. Fisher said, ‘I can f***ing walk wherever I like,'" said Rukhsana Khaliq, prosecuting.

"The officer stood in front of him and warned him regarding his behaviour and language, but he gave verbal abuse.

"He was told a number of times to leave the area but he did not take notice of the officers' instructions, remained abusive and was eventually arrested for a public order offence.

"At Loddon Valley police station, Fisher identified himself as Joseph Kennedy, checks were conducted and police decided his tattoos were similar enough to suggest he was Kennedy.

"As a result he was charged as Joseph Kennedy and bailed to attend court.

"He failed to attend and police did a computer match on fingerprints which identified them as belonging to Fisher."

He admitted to the charges of disorderly behaviour and obstructing a police officer.

Defending, Martin Jackson, said: "It was Christmas Day, he had been drinking and it was down to drunken stupidity that he gave a false name.

"There was concern that if he was charged in his real name, police would refuse him bail because of his past record and he desired to spend some of the Christmas period out of custody.

"It was stupid and irritating behaviour on his part."

Chairman of magistrates Michael Wall gave Fisher a 12-month conditional discharge for disorderly behaviour as well as a 12-month conditional discharge for obstructing a constable to run concurrently.

"If you keep out of trouble for a year, it will go away," said Mr Wall.